Murdo Macdonald, 13 Swainbost

Seaman MURDO MACDONALD
Last address in Lewis: 13 Swainbost,
Son of John and Mary MacDonald, of 13, Swainbost, Ness, Stornoway, Ross-shire.
Service unit: Royal Naval Reserve, HMD Aspire
Service number: 11997/DA
Date of birth: 15 April 1898
Date of death: 1 January 1919 at the age of 21
Drowned in sinking of HMY Iolaire
Interred: Old Ness cemetery
Local memorial: North Lewis, Cross

Murdo is shown in the 1901 census, aged 4, at 12 Swainbost. He is
living with his parents John (39) and Mary (35), as well as siblings
Peggie (15), Murdo (12), Donald (10), Annie (7), and Peggie (7 months).

His brother Donald also served in the RNR, and was also lost in
the Iolaire Disaster. His brother Murdo , also a naval reservist, was
twice torpedoed during the war, but survived.